The Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) has today issued Directions to five banks in respect of the Retail Banking Market Investigation Order 2017. These Directions relate to delays in delivering certain aspects of the Open Banking programme, in particular with regard to mobile app functionality. Whilst it is recognised that four of the mandated banks have met the deadline, the Implementation Trustee of OBIE has recommended to the CMA that Directions are issued to those banks who have missed the agreed deadlines, and that enforcement processes are put in place. Commenting on the CMA Directions, Trustee of the Open Banking Implementation Entity (OBIE), Imran Gulamhuseinwala OBE, said: “While we are aware that the Open Banking programme has ambitious and challenging timescales, it is disappointing that some banks have needed more time to deliver some important new Open Banking functionality to their customers. “However, we are pleased to see that four of the mandated banks have delivered these changes either on or ahead of time – which means that their customers will start to reap the benefits of the enhanced functionality and features that have been introduced. “While it is still early days, overall it is clear that Open Banking is gaining momentum and traction, with innovative new products and services launching which will ultimately help customers move, manage and make more of their money.” A revised Implementation Delivery Plan, which takes into account the revised deadlines agreed with the banks, and details key implementation dates on an individual bank basis can be accessed here. – – – ENDS – – – For further information, please contact: press@openbanking.org.uk About Us Open Banking is a new, secure way for customers to take control of their financial data and share it with organisations other than their banks. Open Banking has the power to revolutionise the way we move, manage and make more of our money. For businesses, it is about making the management of cashflow and receiving payments cheaper and easier. Open Banking will make things simpler, faster and more convenient. Open Banking follows the Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) investigation into the supply of personal current accounts (PCAs) and of banking services to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Open Banking was created to enable innovation, transparency and competition in UK financial services. It is tasked with delivering the Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), data structures and security architectures that will enable developers to harness technology, making it easy and safe for individuals and SMEs to share the financial information held by their banks with third parties. Open Banking will bring substantial benefits. It gives customers and SMEs greater market choice and greater control over their money and associated data, along with better and easier access to new financial services providers in a secure environment. Notes to Editors: 1. Open Banking Ltd was set up by the Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) in September 2016 to fulfil one of the remedies mandated by the CMA following an investigation into UK retail banking. 2. The CMA’s investigation into the retail banking market (whose findings were published in August 2016) concluded that older and larger banks do not compete hard enough for customers’ business and that Open Banking should deliver a new, secure option for customers to be able to compare the deal they are getting from their bank. 3. Open Banking was created to enable innovation, transparency and competition to UK financial services. It is tasked with delivering the Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), data structures and security architectures that will make it easy and safe for customers to share their financial records by January 2018. 4. The data provided by Open Banking will enable developers to harness technology that allows individuals and businesses to share their financial records held by their banks with third parties. 5. Open Banking is a private body; its governance, composition and budget was determined by the CMA. It is funded by the UK’s nine largest current account providers and overseen by the CMA, the Financial Conduct Authority and Her Majesty’s Treasury. 6. The 9 mandated institutions (referred to as the CMA9) are: Barclays plc, Lloyds Banking Group plc, Santander, Danske, HSBC, RBS, Bank of Ireland, Nationwide and AIBG.